Gurbani Raag Vadhans

Little has been written about this rare raga. It is not in the
Ragmala, and today it is ascribed to the Kafi thata. Fifty-three sabdas plus
numerous slokas represent the total number composed to this raga by Guru
Nanak, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan. Vadahans is considered
suitable for the cold season and is assigned to the afternoon hours. Its
mood is quiet and tender. Texts set to the raga explain how the Guru alone
can lead one to the Lord. Without the Lord one is likened to a woman without
the love of her spouse.

Aroh : Sa Re Ma Pa, Dha Ni Pa, Ni Sa

Avroh : Sa \i Pa, Dha Nla Ga Re, Sa Ni Sa

Vadi : Re

Samvadi : Pa

Introduction :

Raga Wadhans is a complete raga of Khmaj (thath) School of Music. It is sung in two different
forms:

This raga is not included in the Ragamala listed at the end of Guru Granth Sahib.

The scale and notes of first form are as follows:

Arohi (ascending scale) - sa re ma pa dha ni pa ni sa

Avrohi (descending scale) - sa ni pa dha ma ga re sa ni sa

The vadi (most popular) note is 'pa' and samvadi (second most popular) note is 'ra '.

The scale and notes of the second form are as follows:

Arohi - sa re ma pa dha ni pa ni sa

Avrohi - sa ni pa dha pa ma re sa

This raga is sung at the fourth part of the day i.e., from 3 p.m to 6 p.m. The season
of its recitation is winter (shisher) i.e., during December and January. In Guru Granth Sahib it has
hymns from pages 557 - 594 (38 pages).

There are one rahau verse in all shabads composed in Ghar 1, placed after the first padas. Shabads
composed in Ghar 2 have no rahau verse in them. All Ashtpadis have rahau verse in them placed after
the first pada.

Diversification of headings and subheadings in this raga:

There is no diversification in the title of the heading. On page 582, after title 'Wadhans Mehla 3,
Mehla teeja (third) is also added.

Composers Structure of Bani

Padas

Ashtpadis

Specialist

Chts

Specialist

Var

Sloaks*

Gurus

2

3

4

5

6

8 (padas)

untiled

Titled

Nanak

1=20

tuka)

2

2

1=8

pds

Titled

Allah nian

3

5 (4 =

chaupads,

1=

ashtpadi)

Amardas

8

1

2

6

untitled

4=

chaupadas

40

Ramdas

1

1

1

4 plus

2 titled

'Gorian'

1 (21

pauris)

Arjan Dev

1

7

1

3

4

Sloaks of Guru Nanak and Guru Amardas are included in the var of Guru Ramdas whereas the sloaks
of Guru Arjan are included in his own Chhants. The comment 'Shud' is recorded at the end of the
var.

In this raga there are two specialist banis: titled Gorian and Allahnian. Guru Ramdas's Gorian
are counted in his Chhants, whereas Guru Nanak's Allahnian are counted as separate compositions.